The Wine Animal Show

For over 70 years, Wynns Coonawarra Estate has helped define Australian Cabernet Sauvignon. In this episode, we explore the history, legacy, and enduring appeal of one of the country's most iconic wine producers.

Master of Wine David LeMire joins Wine Animal for a deep dive into Tolpuddle Vineyard, Tasmania’s iconic Chardonnay and Pinot Noir producer. From the challenge of earning the Master of Wine title to the philosophy behind one of Australia’s most respected wine labels, this episode explores terroir, tasting, vintage evolution, and what makes Tolpuddle wines so unforgettable.

Brenno and Erin Larkin unpack one of Australia’s most iconic wines, Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay.From the exceptional 2023 vintage to the discipline behind its timeless style, this conversation explores why some wines transcend trends and only get better with time.

Meursault is one of Burgundy’s most revered names, yet it holds no Grand Cru vineyards. So the question is… does it even need them?In this episode, we sit down with Alex Rougeot, whose family history in Meursault stretches back generations. We explore soils, elevation, microclimates, and the producers whose wines command extraordinary prices, unpacking what truly gives this appellation its power.A deep dive into pedigree, place, and quiet confidence.

From a quiet Adelaide Hills winery to more than sixty years of lived experience, this episode explores the philosophy behind Riposte and a winemaker who has seen every side of the craft. It’s a story built on observation, patience, and the belief that the most important decisions happen long before the grapes reach the wineryTim reflects on 64 consecutive vintages, unpacking the realities of cold-climate growing, vineyard selection, Pinot Noir, Riesling, and the risks that come with marginal sites, frost, flowering, and dramatically low yields. At the heart of the conversation is the rare 2024 season, a year that finally allowed him to create the Pinot Noir he’d envisioned for more than three decades.This goes beyond tasting notes. It’s perspective, precision, and a lifetime of choices that quietly shape every bottle.

Step into the studio with me as I sit down with the legendary Bruce Dukes of Domaine Naturaliste, a guy whose story literally starts in backyard compost heaps and somehow leads all the way to the vineyards of Margaret River, with a pretty wild detour through UC Davis and Napa Valley.In our chat, Bruce takes me through:The childhood obsession with soil that kickstarted his whole journeyHow studying plant nutrition and soil microbiology shaped the way he farms todayThe early days of building a custom-crush winery and the creation of Domaine NaturalisteWhat it’s like working alongside family and farming with real intentionAnd why he treats wine like a multi-coloured canvas instead of a single brushstrokeHis time in California and the mentors who completely shifted his winemaking philosophyWhether you're a wine geek, a WA diehard, or just love a good yarn, this episode pours out the depth, humour, passion and grounded wisdom of one of Australia’s most thoughtful winemakers.

Four wines. Same producer. Same vintage.Two estate-grown, two négociant and the differences are wild.From lifted, blue-fruited, old-world-meets-new-world charm…to earthy, spicy, more structured Pinot…to the powerful Premier Cru…and finally the Grand Cru: deep, electric, wide on the palate, and insanely pure.These 2022s are already singing, no need to wait 20 years.If you see them on a list, drink them. 🍷🔥Wine Animal out.

Join me for the second episode with Doug Neal, one of Victoria’s quiet achievers in wine, a man whose journey started as a teacher before becoming a winemaker, mentor, and close friend of Rick Kinzbrunner of Giaconda.From Paradise IV to Gaffy & Neal Wines in the Mornington Peninsula, Doug’s story is built on friendship, perseverance, and a deep respect for the craft. This time we talk Chardonnay, Shiraz, and the philosophies that have shaped a life dedicated to balance, patience, and authenticity.It’s a conversation about more than wine. It’s about legacy, learning, and the beauty of doing what you love.🍷 Learn more about Doug’s wines: www.winesbydougneal.com🔔 Subscribe to The Wine Animal for more vineyard visits, winemaker chats, and behind-the-scenes stories from Australia’s most inspiring producers.

In this episode, we dive deep into a rare side-by-side tasting of Syrahmi’s La La 2006 and 2019, two vintages that reveal just how far Adam Foster’s winemaking has evolved. The 2006 La La, Adam’s very first release, a tiny one-barrel project, marks the beginning of the Syrahmi story. We compare it directly with the beautifully fragrant, whole-bunch-driven 2019 La La, showcasing how his craft has developed over more than a decade.As we taste, Adam walks through the pivotal years that shifted his approach, from fully destemmed ferments and small barrels to larger formats, whole bunch, and eventually ceramic and egg aging. This is a fascinating look at how technique, intuition, and time can transform Shiraz into two completely different expressions.

In this episode, we head into the Yarra Valley to sit down with cult producer Shaun Crinion of Dappled Wines. Known for crafting some of the best value Chardonnay in Australia — and for releasing some of the most talked-about Pinot Noir in the region — Shaun has quietly earned a reputation as one of the country’s most exciting boutique winemakers.We explore the philosophy behind Dappled Wines, what drives Shaun’s approach in both the cellar and the vineyard, and how he has created a label that consistently overdelivers on quality. Shaun also gives insight into his highly anticipated 2024 releases and why his Chardonnay has become a benchmark for value, precision and regional expression.Whether you’re passionate about Yarra Valley wine, curious about Australia’s top boutique producers, or simply want to deepen your understanding of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, this conversation offers a rare look inside one of the country’s most quietly influential wineries.

This week on Wine Animal, we sit down with Doug Neal to demystify one of the most influential elements in winemaking: oak. It’s a topic many wine lovers hear about, yet few fully understand. Doug breaks down the differences between French and American oak, how barrels shape aroma, flavour and texture, and the impact oak has on a wine’s ageing potential.Whether you’re a casual drinker, an emerging collector, or someone deep into the world of fine wine, this episode offers clear, practical insights that will change the way you think about oak-aged wines.Recorded here in Australia, the conversation highlights the traditions behind some of the country’s most exciting wines and connects them to the broader global approach to crafting premium bottles.If you enjoy learning about winemaking, tasting, and the stories behind the craft, follow the show and join the Wine Animal community.

The Yarra Valley wasn’t always the land of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. For decades, Cabernet Sauvignon held the crown — with iconic producers like Mount Mary, Yarra Yering and St Huberts defining the region. But the landscape has shifted dramatically, and the numbers from the past seven vintages (2018–2024) tell a very different story.In this episode, we break down how the grape crush data has changed over time and what it reveals about the modern Yarra Valley. From Pinot Noir now making up more than 40% of the region’s crush, to Chardonnay’s continued rise, Shiraz holding strong in third place, and Cabernet’s steady decline, we explore the forces reshaping one of Australia’s most dynamic wine regions.We also look at the impact of climate, sparkling wine production, and evolving consumer tastes — and why Pinot and Chardonnay have become the undisputed rulers of the Valley.If you’re keen to understand the real story behind the Yarra’s varieties and how the region is evolving, this episode is for you.